What Alder Security Is

Alder Security is a home security company that sells monitored alarm systems, video cameras, and smart home devices directly to homeowners. You buy the equipment, install it in your home, and pay a monthly monitoring fee so that when a sensor triggers, a monitoring center receives the alert and can contact emergency services or you depending on what you've set up.

Alder operates as a direct-to-consumer provider, meaning you order online, receive equipment by mail, and handle installation yourself or hire a technician. The company does not require a long-term contract — you can cancel month to month — and monitoring is optional if you want cameras or sensors for local alerts only.

Key Takeaways

  • Alder Security sells equipment and monitoring separately, so you pay for what you use rather than a bundled package.
  • Installation is DIY by default, which lowers upfront cost but requires you to mount sensors and run wiring yourself.
  • Monthly monitoring fees vary by the number of sensors and cameras you add, so your bill grows as your system expands.
  • You can pause or cancel monitoring at any time without penalty, making it flexible if you move or change your needs.
  • Alder integrates with common smart home platforms like Alexa and Google Home, so you can control cameras and locks through those apps.

Equipment and System Components

Alder's core system includes a hub (the main control unit), door and window sensors, motion detectors, and a keypad for arming and disarming. You can add cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, and environmental sensors like smoke or water detectors. Each component connects wirelessly to the hub, which communicates with Alder's monitoring center over your internet connection.

The hub itself requires power and a broadband internet connection. If your internet goes down, the hub can fall back to cellular backup (LTE) if you add that service, so alerts still reach the monitoring center. Without cellular backup, monitoring stops if your internet is out.

Cameras record to cloud storage, which you access through the Alder mobile app. Video storage duration depends on your plan — Alder offers different tiers of cloud recording, and you can also set cameras to record only when motion is detected to save storage space.

Monthly Costs and Pricing Structure

Alder does not publish a single monthly rate because the cost depends on how many devices you monitor. A basic system with a hub and a few door sensors costs less per month than a system with multiple cameras, locks, and environmental sensors. You pay for monitoring based on the number of zones (sensors and cameras) you add.

Equipment is sold separately from monitoring. A starter kit with a hub and a few sensors might cost $200 to $400 upfront, and additional cameras or sensors range from $50 to $300 each depending on the device. Monthly monitoring typically ranges from $15 to $40 or more, depending on the number of zones and whether you add cellular backup or extended video storage.

Because Alder does not require a contract, you can add or remove devices and adjust your monitoring plan whenever you want. If you downsize your system, your monthly bill decreases. If you cancel monitoring entirely, you keep the equipment and can use cameras for local viewing only.

Professional Monitoring and Response

When a sensor or camera detects motion or a door opens, the hub sends an alert to Alder's monitoring center. A dispatcher receives the signal and follows the rules you set: they may call you to confirm it's a real emergency, contact police, or straightforward log the event depending on what you've configured.

Response time varies. If you confirm an emergency, dispatch typically contacts local police within minutes. If you don't answer when they call, the dispatcher uses the information you provided during setup — your address, emergency contacts, and any special instructions — to decide whether to send help.

You can also receive push notifications on your phone when sensors trigger, so you know about activity in real time even if you're not home. This lets you check a camera feed or call the monitoring center yourself before the dispatcher does.

Installation and Setup

Alder systems are designed for self-installation. Sensors mount on doors and windows with adhesive strips or screws, motion detectors go on walls or shelves, and the hub sits in a central location with power and internet access. The mobile app walks you through pairing each device to the hub.

If you prefer professional installation, Alder offers that service for an additional fee, typically $100 to $300 depending on the size of your system and your location. A technician will mount equipment, test the system, and show you how to use the app and keypad.

Setup usually takes a few hours for a basic system if you do it yourself. More complex systems with multiple cameras and smart locks take longer. Once everything is paired and tested, you can arm the system from the keypad, app, or voice command if you've connected it to Alexa or Google Home.

Integration with Smart Home Devices

Alder cameras and smart locks work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can view live camera feeds, lock or unlock doors, and arm or disarm the system through those platforms. You can also create routines — for example, "when I leave home, arm the system and lock the front door" — that run automatically.

Alder does not integrate with Apple HomeKit, so if you use HomeKit as your primary smart home platform, you'll need to manage Alder devices through the Alder app instead. The company also does not offer integration with other popular platforms like Samsung SmartThings or Hubitat.

Cancellation and Flexibility

Alder does not lock you into a contract. You can cancel monitoring at any time by logging into your account or contacting customer service. There is no early termination fee or penalty. If you cancel, you keep the equipment you purchased and can continue to use cameras for local viewing or sell the system if you move.

If you pause monitoring temporarily — for example, if you're away from home for a month and don't need alerts — you can suspend your account and restart it later without losing your settings or device configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my internet goes out?

Without internet, the hub cannot reach the monitoring center, so alerts won't be sent. If you add cellular backup (LTE), the hub switches to cellular automatically and monitoring continues. Without cellular backup, you lose monitoring until your internet is restored, though local alerts on your phone may still work if you're on cellular data.

Can I use Alder cameras without paying for monitoring?

Yes. You can buy cameras and use them for local viewing through the app without subscribing to monitoring. You'll see live feeds and recorded video, but the monitoring center won't receive alerts if motion is detected. This works well if you want cameras for your own awareness but don't need professional dispatch.

Do I have to use Alder's monitoring center, or can I monitor the system myself?

Alder's monitoring is optional. You can set up the system to send alerts to your phone only, and you handle any response yourself. Many people use this approach if they live in an area with slow police response or prefer to check cameras before calling emergency services.

What if I move to a new house?

You can take the equipment with you. Sensors and cameras are wireless and not tied to a specific address, so you unpair them from the old hub, move them to your new home, and pair them to the hub again. You'll update your address in the app so the monitoring center has the correct location for dispatch.

How long does video stay in cloud storage?

Storage duration depends on your plan. Alder offers different tiers of cloud recording — typically 7 days, 30 days, or longer — and the cost increases with longer retention. You can also read video to your phone or computer to keep it permanently.